Newbie Primer Question

[ShootingNewbie]

Just wondering how much impact on attained accuracy folks have experienced by changing primers when doing load development - i.e. would a load that gives a .75MOA consistently with Brand X primers likely give about .75 as well with Brand Y, or would it almost be expected that it would behave at least a bit differently (either better or worse)?

Alternately, can changing the make/model of primer (i.e. going from CCI 450 -> BR) alter where the accuracy nodes might lie for a given powder/projectile/rifle combo?

Just trying to get a handle on how many different variables I'm going to have to control for while experimenting here... the more variables that are relatively constant, the better...

Any thoughts from the folks who have already been there and tested that would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[SavageLapua]

Obviously, you want to change one thing at a time to see the effects. In my experience so far (I've been handloading for about four years) you likely will not see much gain or loss in accuracy just by changing primers (if you go with a "hotter" primer such as magnum primers, it may push you out of your node, depending on how narrow it is). By changing from a CCI-450 to BR-4 or FED-215 to 215M(atch) where you'll see the difference is on your chronograph. Going to BR-4 or 215M otherwise known as "Match" primers, you'll lower ES and SD numbers which translate into smaller vertical dispertion at longer ranges. Again, this is what I know about the differences in primers, hopefully someone more knowledgable than I, will chime in.

SL